Tom Powers: U's propaganda puts an unhappy spin on a feel-good story

[BleedGopher]

Tom Powers: U's propaganda puts an unhappy spin on a feel-good story
Pioneer Press
Updated: 09/17/2011 11:41:20 PM CDT

Afterward, Jerry Kill appeared exhausted. It had been a brutal week.

Now, after his first victory as coach of the Golden Gophers, after having a doctor follow him around on the sideline all day, he was able to gather his thoughts.

"I'm tired," he said.

Tired but perhaps the most hydrated human being in the state of Minnesota.

"I did OK. Doc (Pat) Smith about wore me out with that water," he said with a chuckle.

Kill suffered a seizure last Saturday against New Mexico State. We were told it was the result of a condition he's had for the past half-dozen or so years. We also were told, via news releases from the university's sports information department, that Kill was doing just great from the moment he entered the hospital.

Nothing to worry about, the regular updates said. This has happened before and the doctors simply are regulating his medication. He's out of bed and turning cartwheels and working out with a hula hoop. No big deal.

In fact, Kill continued to suffer seizures while in the hospital. He mentioned after Saturday's 29-23 win over Miami (Ohio) that one of the toughest parts of last week was trying to communicate with his coordinators on Tuesday while he was in the hospital.

"I was trying to talk to them in between seizures, believe it or not," Kill said.

He was released at 1 p.m. Thursday and was at practice two hours later. Once there, he tried to downplay his situation. Look, he told his players, I have a condition. This is something that happens to me. If it happens, just get away from me. It will pass, eventually.

Kill told them he had two options: to wait until the doctors found the perfect mix of medication "or I can try to coach football."

He chose the latter. After the victory, his players gave him a game ball. His response was to announce that he was giving all of them game balls.

"You gotta love that guy," quarterback MarQueis Gray said.

"The Good Lord has been good to me," Kill said.

Well, the Good Lord made him coach of the Golden Gophers so I wouldn't jump to any conclusions there. But it was easy to understand Kill's sentiments. What an awful week filled with unwanted attention and drama. For public consumption, the university kept saying the hospital stay was routine and that everything was fine. In reality, Kill felt poorly right up until game time.

"I did all right once I got into the game," he said. "I struggled before the game. But once I got to the game, I was in an element, and I think sometimes you forget things and you move on."

Although he said there wasn't much doubt in his mind about being on the sideline, his wife, Rebecca, wasn't on board with his decision.

"I think that my wife was not too fired up about it, to be honest with you," he said. "You're on TV and you're in front of 50,000 people and I don't think anybody wants to see a family member possibly go into a situation. But you know what? There's a lot of people who have life a lot worse than I do."

Two things we found out Saturday: This condition is more serious than we thought. And we won't receive honest information from university officials with regard to Kill's health. I don't know if they are worried about ticket sales, recruiting or what, but clearly they will release propaganda to suit their own interests. Apparently, they did not count on Kill being honest.

"I'm a small-town guy that's been given a great life," Kill said. "I'm going to live it to the fullest. I'm not going to let somebody tell me I can't do something."

OK, he's a small-town guy with a big-time opportunity. But what's more important here? What are we doing? On Saturday, he was very subdued despite his first victory as Gophers coach. That tells me he's hurting. I just hope someone other than his wife is looking out for him. I hope his bosses are looking out for him, too.

The right thing for Kill to do would be to ease back into the job. I'm talking about working part-time until he really is back to normal. Kill should watch film, address the team and then not show up to practice again until later in the week. The team still will be here.

He shouldn't have to shake the cobwebs from his head to go out and coach. That's just ridiculous.

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_18920745?nclick_check=1

Go Gophers!!

 

[Go4Broke]

A better title would be "Tom Power's column puts an unhappy spin on a feel-good story". Thanks for that, Tom. It was just what we needed today.

 

[diehard]

Coach Kill seems to be the honest broker (shouldn't surprise us) here leveling with everyone. He is the best coach are going to get at this stage of building a long lost program. Do believe he can take us to the next level given time. We need to think long term with him and his staff. His staff has been with him forever and they can handle the duties of game prep. I think Powers has it about right. Kill needs to take care of himself so that he can take care of building this program. I hope he keeps thing slowed down until the doctors have the right medication mix working. It can take a few weeks in most case for medication to stabilize with the body. Please coach, take it slow right now. Get yourself right to stay with us for a long long time.

I'm sending e-mails to him and the U to this effect. Let us give him the support he deserves. He is the right man for the job.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Tom Powers is doing a job and good one on this topic. If you listened to any of Kill's quotes from yesterday, you would have been asking why he was even at the game. He actually told the BTN reporter. "I'm just happy to be here." I don't think he was referring to the game.

Mrs. Kill has the toughest job of all right now. I hope they get the proper program for him to continue getting stronger.

 

[Go4Broke]

It is great that Coach Kill is so honest about his heath situation. But Power's criticism of the U is way over the top. There isn't an organization in the world that doesn't try to put positive spin in media stories about the health of their top employees. Everybody over the age of 12 understands why they do it. Powers could have written an informative column about Kill and his health without criticizing the U. It was unnecessary and unjustified.

 

[Gopher Warrior]

As discussed more in this thread , there are still unanswered questions and this could really blow up in the face of the U. It starts off with the hiring process, but fuel continues to be added to the potential inferno.

I can appreciate this article, but would point out that, "the result of a condition he's had for the past half-dozen or so years" seems to be way off. In fact, it appears this is a condition that he has had (and one whose affects on Kill have gotten more severe over time) dating back nearly 20 years, if not more.

At some point, 'brave' becomes 'irresponsible'.

 

[RodentRampage]

That thread has a lot of idle speculation, that's all.

 

[jovs]

If what Powers says is true it becomes an issue that will be hard to deal with. The doctor will leave it up to Kill to decide what he is capable of doing, they will tell him he is free to coach if he feels up to it. That is where the problem lies, I'm with Powers on this, they should designate a co-head coach for the remainder of the season to ease up the work load because Kill isn't going to take it upon himself to do it.

 

[Shielder]

What an awful week filled with unwanted attention and drama. For public consumption, the university kept saying the hospital stay was routine and that everything was fine. In reality, Kill felt poorly right up until game time.

How would giving the media a seizure by seizure blow alleviate the unwanted attention and drama? Maybe it was Kill's or a family member's decision to hold back his medical status until after the game.

Dr. Tom should head over to Target Field if he's looking for a story on people holding back medical information.

 

[highwayman]

One of things not mentioned in any stories is that Kill was injured physically more by being held down than the seizure itself. This is a fact. Who knows what else that did to him physically. The EMTs made a mistake in protocal, and that has been corrected. Let's see how this pans out over the next week or so. The seizures have a cause which can be corrected by medication.

The physical toll was multifacted. Being held down during a seizure and being 50 years old are two of them. Kill may be perfectly fine in a couple of weeks. Let's not bury Caesar yet.

There's also a Federal law called HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) that does not allow medical information on an individual to be released without that individual's permission. The U cannot release any information about Kill without his permission. NONE.

Maybe a crackerjack reporter like Powers would know that.

 

[RodentRampage]

Don't a lot of people go to work when they feel poorly?

 

[Iceland12]

What an awful week filled with unwanted attention and drama. For public consumption, the university kept saying the hospital stay was routine and that everything was fine. In reality, Kill felt poorly right up until game time.

How would giving the media a seizure by seizure blow alleviate the unwanted attention and drama? Maybe it was Kill's or a family member's decision to hold back his medical status until after the game.

Dr. Tom should head over to Target Field if he's looking for a story on people holding back medical information.

Hard to disagree with this, but there is a real story here and maybe not a happy one.

Kill has said he had more seizures in the hospital. He said his wife didn't want him out there. Didn't hear the KFAN post game show but there it was said that Kill may have had a seizures every day this week. To hell with "P.R.", how can he continue to coach if they can't get this under control?

I love College Football and more then nearly everything I want to see the Gophers win. There are many things working against them but Kill and his crew might be the ones to turn it around. I'm pretty old-fashioned though, a guy's health and his family should come WAY before a football team.

I'm going to listen to the "Kill Show" on WCCO now. I hope to hear some good news.

 

[highwayman]

Don't a lot of people go to work when they feel poorly?

I had that thought as well. You don't have to be 100%, 100% of the time, to succeed. In this era of "sick leave" people don't come to work for the lamest of reasons. We've gotten soft. If you ain't contagious, you can go to work.

 

[year of the gopher]

This is a silly column by Powers and a ridiculous thread. Honestly, it's between Kill, his family,and his doctors what he can and can't do. We don't get a say.

 

[Iceland12]

This is a silly column by Powers and a ridiculous thread. Honestly, it's between Kill, his family,and his doctors what he can and can't do. We don't get a say.

With all due respect YOTG, the University, his employers, certainly have a say in it. Also,if we only discussed things we "had a say" in you can just shut down the damn internet.

Just a thought.

 

[Shielder]

Iceland, I'm not sure the University or any employer has any say on releasing an employee's medical information.

 

[Iceland12]

Iceland, I'm not sure the University or any employer has any say on releasing an employee's medical information.

You're right, but I was referring to "Honestly, it's between Kill, his family,and his doctors what he can and can't do".

 

[jamiche]

One of things not mentioned in any stories is that Kill was injured physically more by being held down than the seizure itself. This is a fact. Who knows what else that did to him physically. The EMTs made a mistake in protocal, and that has been corrected. Let's see how this pans out over the next week or so. The seizures have a cause which can be corrected by medication.

The physical toll was multifacted. Being held down during a seizure and being 50 years old are two of them. Kill may be perfectly fine in a couple of weeks. Let's not bury Caesar yet.

There's also a Federal law called HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) that does not allow medical information on an individual to be released without that individual's permission. The U cannot release any information about Kill without his permission. NONE.

Maybe a crackerjack reporter like Powers would know that.

You are correct about HIPAA, which really put the U in a box. No announcements would have fanned the flames. Revealing too much would have violated HIPAA. The reality, by inference, is that nobody stays in the hospital for 5 days anymore unless the doctors are having a hard time containing or controlling the condition. "Tinkering" with medications can be done from home.

Just idle speculation, but part of Kill's subdued demeanor yesterday may be due to an increase in dosage of his anti seizure meds. The side effects of those meds can include fatigue and slowing of mental acuity.

I had not read that the EMT's violated protocols. What was your source?

 

[Gopher Warrior]

HIPAA gets thrown around as an excuse a lot, even though many times it's not a valid excuse. Often you'll find that people who bring up HIPAA can't even tell you what it stands for, much less who and what is covered under the Act. In addition, authorizations from employees and student-athletes are often in place. I'd say the University, especially in this case but also in general, can probably share a lot more than they do.

By the way, the authorization for student-athletes at the U says, in part, "Media organizations may receive and report the student-athlete’s name, general description of injury and participation status related to an injury or health condition for the purpose of reporting the injury and its effect on participation status."

Not directly related to Kill's circumstance, but I've included a link to an authorization form.

 

[Governor Sibley]

I don't think Powers is way off-base here.

I wish I could say otherwise.

 

[alchemy2u]

This is a hack job by Powers, poor excuse for a column.

Now it is time to settle down on Kill. He will be fine, the doctors will get this under control and he will continue to coach. He is physically beat up and sore like an out of shape 50 year old would be if they just finished a fight with Mike Tyson. It may take some time until they get it under control again, but he will deal with it, heck Jo'Pa is on Pulto have of the time.

 

[everybody knows my name]

BS on the medical privacy talk. They were releasing information that he was fine, that everything was hunky dory, which was false. They didn't feel constrained from lying as a result of any privacy laws.

I'm concerned about Kill because of the multiple seizures, his wife's reluctance to have him go back to work, and because of the obvious fatigue or weariness he's experiencing - just look at his face and listen to his voice - he is unwell.

However unhappy it makes you to hear it, this is true, and reporter Powers is right to point it out.

 

[Khaliq]

Sooo has he officially signed that contract yet?

 

[50PoundHead]

Tough call to make. It's hard to tell Kill what he can and cannot do as coach, but it's also difficult for the U to have itself hanging out there on liability issues. I hope and pray that Kill can get the seizure issue under control. He's worked so hard to get to the FBS level by putting his heart and soul into his coaching and I hope his health won't dash that dream.

On a lighter note, I went to work feeling bad my entire 20s with a bad case of bottle flu almost every single day.

 

[Formo]

BS on the medical privacy talk. They were releasing information that he was fine, that everything was hunky dory, which was false. They didn't feel constrained from lying as a result of any privacy laws.

Maybe they should have just reported that he was going to die from too many seizures. Maybe that would have been better.. =/

I'm concerned about Kill because of the multiple seizures,

Which he's had before.

his wife's reluctance to have him go back to work,

Who's wife WOULD want their spouse to go back to work?! I'm sure his wife doesn't like all the long hours he puts into his job either.

and because of the obvious fatigue or weariness he's experiencing - just look at his face and listen to his voice - he is unwell.

He is fatigued, I'll buy that. Also according to reports of how he was like after the seizure he had back at Southern Illinois, he was very lethargic then, too. Probably due to a combination of meds and just taking it easy.

However unhappy it makes you to hear it, this is true, and reporter Powers is right to point it out.

Powers has the right to point out whatever he deems true. He also seems to be genuinely concerned for Coach's health, which is a breath of fresh air IMO. But neither we nor Powers knows what was the reasoning behind the U's press releases on Coach's status. For all you know, it was Coach telling the U and his coordinators to keep their traps shut.

My point of posting in this thread, which seems to already be a bit diseased, is we don't know the full freakin' story here. Lets let it go as Coach would probably want us to and continue to keep his health in our prayers and/or thoughts. Oh, and to continue our support for them boys in maroon and gold.

 

[highwayman]

You are correct about HIPAA, which really put the U in a box. No announcements would have fanned the flames. Revealing too much would have violated HIPAA. The reality, by inference, is that nobody stays in the hospital for 5 days anymore unless the doctors are having a hard time containing or controlling the condition. "Tinkering" with medications can be done from home.

Just idle speculation, but part of Kill's subdued demeanor yesterday may be due to an increase in dosage of his anti seizure meds. The side effects of those meds can include fatigue and slowing of mental acuity.

I had not read that the EMT's violated protocols. What was your source?

One of the stadium EMTs told me that they should have let him go until the medication was administered.

HIPAA gets thrown around as an excuse a lot, even though many times it's not a valid excuse. Often you'll find that people who bring up HIPAA can't even tell you what it stands for, much less who and what is covered under the Act. In addition, authorizations from employees and student-athletes are often in place. I'd say the University, especially in this case but also in general, can probably share a lot more than they do.

By the way, the authorization for student-athletes at the U says, in part, "Media organizations may receive and report the student-athlete’s name, general description of injury and participation status related to an injury or health condition for the purpose of reporting the injury and its effect on participation status."

Not directly related to Kill's circumstance, but I've included a link to an authorization form.

You have to agree to and sign any and all authorizations. If you don't, NO information can be released. Even then, the releasing of information can be in any manner the releasing authority chooses.

3 employees of the University of Iowa Hospitals were fired for simply viewing the medical information of the "rhabdo" Hawkeyes.

 

[year of the gopher]

People here can speculate all they want. But again, it's all just speculation, mostly uninformed. Unless you're a doctor with direct knowledge of the case, you really don't have any business even "suggesting" what Kill should and should not do.

 

[Gopher Warrior]

You have to agree to and sign any and all authorizations. If you don't, NO information can be released. Even then, the releasing of information can be in any manner the releasing authority chooses.

3 employees of the University of Iowa Hospitals were fired for simply viewing the medical information of the "rhabdo" Hawkeyes.

Careful. You're trying to compare hospital employees with athletic department employees. Understanding who and what is covered by HIPAA can be quite difficult. (BTW, your classification of the firings as being for 'simply viewing' is not appropriate and at least one of those initially terminated has had their nature of departure changed from terminated to voluntary resignation by the university).

At any rate, there is no issue here with regard to the U having "their hands tied" and being in a tough position in terms of what they can and cannot say. If anything, some of their representatives have said too much and the wrong things.

He will be fine, the doctors will get this under control and he will continue to coach.

I keep hearing this... that the doctors will get this under control. If they've been unable to for the past 20 years, why in the world would one believe they suddenly will now?

 

[year of the gopher]

I keep hearing this... that the doctors will get this under control. If they've been unable to for the past 20 years, why in the world would one believe they suddenly will now?

Seriously, do you know anyone with a seizure disorder? They can control and minimize the number of occurrences, but they can't generally make them stop completely. Coach Kill will probably have more seizures in his life. He may even have another one on the field someday. They wear a person out, and they sometimes happen in bunches. But often they can be managed with medication so that the person can live an otherwise normal life. Let's let Coach Kill and his doctors figure that part out.

 

[ruppertflywheel]

I had a thread removed because my concerns were ....

the same. 8 out of 10 posters here thought his seizure was not that big a deal and it was a walk in the park. We now know it is an issue we don't sweep under the rug like the U's publicity department did. Powers was
right on. Get well Jerry Kill. Don't prostitute your health.